The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of March 7, 2025:
Hundreds of Virginia workers claim UI tied to federal jobs
Reported by VPM News’ Jahd Khalil
At least 501 Virginians have made initial unemployment claims tied to federal employers, a Virginia Employment Commission spokesperson told VPM News on Thursday. The count comes as the federal government's plans to slash jobs remain hazy — and as economists and policymakers try to sift through data to plan for the possible economic fallout.
Last week there were a total of 168 confirmed initial Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees Claims, and 136 were continued UFCE claims, said Kerri O’Brien in an email.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, under criticism from General Assembly leadership, has rolled out an online job portal in an attempt to create opportunities for tens of thousands of federal employees whose careers are on shaky ground as President Donald Trump, with the help of entrepreneur Elon Musk, seeks to cut 100,000 federal jobs from the DMV area.
But those plans could have effects that extend beyond the loss of federal jobs themselves. The University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center estimated that a 10% reduction in federal civilian jobs — about 18,000 — would lead to a total loss of nearly 40,000 jobs statewide. That would more than offset the center’s projected 2025 job growth in Virginia.
Questions remain around data centers in Chesterfield County
Reported by VPM News’ Billy Shields and Patrick Larsen
Chesterfield County officials unveiled two sites recently slated to house data centers, but residents' questions persist: What will those centers look like, what resources will they require — and what company will even operate them?
The two plots of land in question are known as Watkins Center — just south of State Route 60 and west of State Route 288 — and Upper Magnolia Green West, west of the proposed Powhite Parkway extension and between State Routes 60 and 360. In total, they comprise almost 1,000 acres.
Officials won’t reveal the name of the company that would operate both sites, but acknowledged that this undisclosed company plans to operate both data centers.
Over the course of two town halls, county residents peppered Economic Development Authority officials with questions: How much power will the centers use, and how will that affect utility rates? How much water will they need to cool? And what about noise?
News you might have missed from around the commonwealth
- Kaine, Warner take on Trump’s ‘reckless’ trade war against Canada (Virginia Mercury)
- Massive two-tower Manchester apartment project ready to move forward (Richmond BizSense)*
- ICE arrests in Northern Virginia fall short of rumors but rattle residents (The Washington Post)*
- The food and beverage business is booming around Nelson County’s Wintergreen Resort, but can it last? (The Daily Progress)*
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
